Welcome to StewardShip

Your free trial and membership will be finalized when you check out.

*Bordeaux Futures, Wine Clubs and Corporate Gifts are not eligible. Applies to standard shipping, which is quite speedy! Expedited shipping available at discounted rates for StewardShip members.Learn More

Critical Acclaim

RP98

The Wine Advocate - "The 2008 Sammarco is striking. Freshly cut flowers, red berries, mint and licorice burst from the glass. The 2008 is remarkably open and vibrant today, but it will almost certainly shut down with more time in bottle. Today the 2008 impresses for its length and pure, mineral-infused fruit. Dazzling aromatics, beautifully delineated fruit and fabulous structure all come to life in this stunning, breathtaking wine. I wish every Wine Advocate reader could taste this wine. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038. Rating: 98+"

WS94

Wine Spectator - "Complex, with subtle herbs accenting black cherry, black currant, sandalwood and cedar aromas and flavors. Extremely refined and detailed, with dense, well-integrated tannins for support. The finish is long and fresh. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2016 through 2035."

Castello dei Rampolla Winery

The Rampolla winery, with its cellars dating back to the 13th century and its ancient Castle overlooking the Conca d’Oro’s valley, has been owned by the di Napoli for nearly three centuries. The 42 hectares of vineyard located on calcareous soils at about 360 meters above the sea level in the Chianti Classico locality of Panzano grow Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
View all Castello dei Rampolla Wines

About Tuscany

One of the most important wine regions in Italy, Tuscany is home to the cities of Florence and Siena, the districts of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, and the wineries of Sassicaia, Tignanello and Ornellaia. Tuscany is also home to the indigenous Italian grape variety, Sangiovese. Most of the wine coming from Tuscany is made from some clone of this varietal, but a growing trend, started by the renegade winemakers of those Super Tuscans, is to incorporate more international varietals.

Notable Facts

The most well known sub-districts of Tuscany are Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (note that Montepulciano here refers to the local village, not the grape variety found in the Italian region of Abruzzi). Wine labeled from these regions is DOC-regulated and Sangiovese-based blends. Quality wine from these DOC areas has been on the rise for decades, with top-notch winemakers and wineries shedding the low-quality image once held for Tuscan wine by producing consistently outstanding bottlings that range from deliciously drinkable to highly ageable. Newer to the scene are regions like Bohlgeri and the Maremma, home to of what are now termed "Super-Tuscans," named for the wine coming from the Tuscany area, but not following all of the DOC or DOCG laws required in Italy. In the
1970's, some pioneer winemakers began buying land outside of Chianti and Montalcino, and planting not only Sangiovese, but also international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine they produced only fit into the lowest Italian category of "vina da tavola," but the winemakers sold the wine for high prices, creating an almost cult following, and spurning a new wine category called IGT.

About Italy

A little ditty about Italy...

This country has about as many wines as its had governments. With 20 different regions, hundreds of DOCs and even more indigenous varieties, the amount of wine made in Italy is mind-boggling. Most of the juice, however, remains in the country for thirsty Italians. Wine is food in Italy and its rare that a meal is consumed without a glass
of vino. That said, it's not common to find many folks drinking wine without food either. In turn, it's a match, and a mighty good one at that. In fact, it's safe to say that Italian wine is a foodie wine – one that goes on the table for a myraid of meals.

Light ruby red color with slight orange hue on the rim. Cherry and other red berries with notes of sage,
spice cake and subtle earth. Vibrant and medium bodied on the palate with good structure, revealing lively cherry and exotic ...

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Fruity

Red wines that are more fruit-forward and lighter in tannin and body.

Smooth & Supple

Medium bodied reds that go down easy, with smooth tannins and supple fruit.